Lost your job or struggling financially? Get instant plain English guidance on your benefit entitlements, Universal Credit and rights when unemployed — checked against official sources.
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Am I entitled to redundancy pay?
Employees with at least 2 years of continuous employment are entitled to statutory redundancy pay. The amount depends on age, length of service and weekly pay. For redundancies from 6 April 2026, a week of pay is capped at £751 in England, Wales and Scotland (maximum £22,530) and at £783 in Northern Ireland (maximum £23,490).
How much is Jobseeker's Allowance in 2026?
In England, Wales and Scotland, New Style JSA is up to £95.55 a week if you are 25 or over, or up to £75.65 a week if you are 24 or under. It is available for up to 182 days and is based on your National Insurance contribution record.
What is Universal Credit standard allowance in 2026?
From April 2026, the Universal Credit standard allowance in England, Wales and Scotland is £424.90 per month for a single person aged 25 or over. Additional elements are available for children, housing, childcare, disability and caring responsibilities.
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The checker answers only from the guide for the nation you choose, plus what you tell it. If your question is not covered there, it says so instead of guessing. Each guide was checked against primary sources on 24 September 2026.
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📋 Practical Next Steps
Universal Credit is the primary benefit for most people who are unemployed and looking for work, though eligibility and the amount you receive depends on your circumstances, savings, and any other income in your household.
If you've paid enough National Insurance contributions, you may be entitled to New Style JSA alongside or instead of Universal Credit — this isn't means-tested in the same way, so it's worth checking even if your savings or partner's income affect your UC entitlement.
Sanctions typically arise from missed appointments or failing to meet agreed work-related requirements without good reason — telling the DWP as soon as possible if you have a genuine reason for missing a commitment significantly improves your chances of avoiding one.
UK Work Rights provides free, plain English guidance to help you understand where you stand. Each checker answers only from its own guide for your part of the UK, checked against official sources. We cover 67 free AI rights checkers, with guides for each part of the UK, across employment, housing, benefits, consumer, driving, family and more.
Our guidance covers many common situations, but complex or high-stakes cases need professional advice. For employment issues, contact ACAS in England, Wales and Scotland (0300 123 1100) or the Labour Relations Agency in Northern Ireland (03300 555 300). For free general advice, contact Citizens Advice (England 0800 144 8848, Wales 0800 702 2020), Citizens Advice Scotland (0800 028 1456) or Advice NI (0800 915 4604). For urgent housing problems in England, Shelter can help on 0808 800 4444.
Directed and published by Matt Thompson, founder of UK Work Rights. Guidance checked against GOV.UK, ACAS and legislation.gov.uk. This is general rights guidance, not legal advice.
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